This book is a letter that Paul wrote to a man named Philemon.
## Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon ##
Your language may have a particular way of introducing the authors of a letter. This could be translated as “We, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, our brother, write this letter to Philemon.”
## a prisoner of Christ Jesus ##
"who is in prison for teaching about Jesus Christ." People who did not like Jesus punished Paul by putting him in prison.
## our beloved brother ##
"our dear fellow believer" or "our spiritual brother whom we love"
## and fellow-worker ##
"who, like us, works to spread the gospel"
## Apphia, our sister ##
This means "Apphia, our fellow believer" or "Apphia, our spiritual sister" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
## Archippus ##
This is the name of man.
## our fellow-soldier ##
Here "soldier" is a metaphor that describes a person who struggles to spread the Gospel. This may be translated as "our fellow-spiritual warrior" or "who also fights the spiritual battle with us." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
## the church in your house ##
"the group of believers that meets in your house" (UDB)
## your house ##
The word "your" is singular and refers to Philemon.
## Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ ##
"May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace." This is a blessing. The word "you" is plural and refers to all the people Paul greeted in verses 1 and 2.
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